Foreign citizens who want to move to Bahrain must comply with various requirements. These depend on the reason they relocate here and the duration of stay. There is also the possibility of obtaining citizenship in Bahrain, however, for this to happen, there are various conditions to be met in accordance with the Citizenship Act. Bahraini citizenship is extremely difficult to get and is considered at the sole discretion of the Government for those who have been long term residents in this country.
If you are a foreign citizen and want to know more about how to become a citizen of this country and the Bahraini citizenship benefits, our lawyers can offer detailed information.
Our team is made of immigration lawyers in Bahrain and company formation specialists in Bahrain, and they can offer multiple services.
The main ways through which Bahraini nationality can be obtained in 2024
There are several ways through which one can obtain citizenship in Bahrain. These are:
- descent and birth which is the easiest to obtain in the case of foreign citizens with Bahraini origins;
- naturalization which implies living in Bahrain on a long term;
- marriage which implies meeting various conditions for the foreign spouse.
If you are interested in immigration to Bahrain and want to apply for residency, you can become eligible for citizenship provided you have lived here for a sufficient number of years and you contribute to the country’s welfare with outstanding services.
Our lawyers in Bahrain can help you establish a business in any large or smaller city of this country. We can advise on the legal forms a company can take, as well as on the taxation system, which is important for any investor. Contact us for guidance in setting up a new business or expanding an existing company.
Documents required for the citizenship application
The following paperwork must be attached to your online application for Bahraini citizenship:
- a completed application for citizenship;
- a letter to His Majesty the King expressing your wish to become a citizen of Bahrain;
- a document with your ID information in it;
- both the original and a duplicate of your current passport or any other travel authorization issued abroad;
- both a copy and the original of your birth certificate;
- the marriage certificate, both the original and a copy, if it was issued in Bahrain ( if it was granted overseas, affidavit from Bahraini court should be included in your international marriage certificate);
- a record containing your wife’s and your kids’ identification information, if any;
- a document attesting to your ownership of land in Bahrain, issued by the Survey & Land Registration Bureau;
- a medical certificate;
- other documents specific to the reason for immigration to Bahrain.
The Bahrain Citizenship Act
Foreign citizens who immigrate to Bahrain and want to remain here can apply for citizenship by naturalization, in accordance with the country’s Nationality Act which was issued in 1963. Ever since, adjustments were brought to it and the ways through which a Bahrain passport can be obtained have been amended.
What should be noted is that there is no possibility to have Bahrain dual citizenship. This applies to foreign citizens seeking to obtain Bahraini passports and retain their former nationalities.
Our immigration lawyers in Bahrain are at your service if you want to know if you meet the requirements to apply for citizenship in this country.
Bahrain is one of the Middle East’s leading trading hubs. This makes many foreign investors choose it for starting various types of businesses. If you are interested in immigration to Bahrain through investment, you have several options. You can contact our local consultants for information on your choices.
Depending on the industry to work, specific criteria must be respected when hiring 10 or more expats. These requirements have to do with the number of work and residence permits for Bahrain. If you need support in filing for employment for bringing foreign employees, please contact our local agents.
Citizenship by descent in Bahrain
People who have origins in this country are eligible for citizenship. According to the law, the following persons can obtain citizenship in Bahrain through descent in 2024:
- they were born in Bahrain after 1937 and their fathers were citizens of this country;
- they were born outside Bahrain after 1937, their fathers or grandfathers were Bahraini citizens;
- they were born in or outside Bahrain after 1937 and their mothers were citizens of this country, while their father is unknown, without a nationality or simply fatherhood cannot be proved.
It is also possible to obtain citizenship in Bahrain by birth. In this case, the father can be a foreign citizen who has obtained permanent residence here and has given up his former citizenship.
All applications for Bahraini nationality must be filed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We remind foreign citizens that Bahrain dual citizenship is not permitted. Our Bahraini lawyer is also at your disposal with PRO services. This largely implies representation with various authorities, so that your interactions at organizational and administrative levels are easy and simple. If you want to know what these services consist of, do not hesitate to get in touch with us via email or phone.
How to obtain Bahraini citizenship by marriage in 2024
It is possible for foreign women who marry Bahraini citizens to obtain passports in this country. In this regard, the marriage certificate must be filed with the local authorities, if the marriage took place here. If the marriage was recorded in another country, the certificate must be accompanied by an affidavit issued by a Bahraini court.
In the case of divorce, the foreign spouse can still retain Bahraini citizens under certain conditions.
All 2024 Bahraini citizenship benefits can be explained by our local lawyers. They can also assist people who want to immigrate to Bahrain through other means.
How to obtain citizenship by naturalization in Bahrain
Bahrain is one of the Arab countries to enable foreign citizens to apply for citizenship. The requirements for immigration to Bahrain are quite stringent, however, those who are accustomed to the lifestyle here consider find it appealing.
In order to acquire a Bahraini passport in 2024, a foreign citizen must:
- legally live here for 25 years if one comes from a non-Arab country;
- Arab people must live here for 15 years;
- have a legal address in Bahrain;
- be fluent in Arabic;
- voting rights can be obtained after 10 years of being Bahraini citizens.
Our lawyers in Bahrain can assist foreign citizens who want to acquire properties here. They must comply with various requirements, especially if they target the Golden Visa program which comes with various benefits.
How hard is it to obtain citizenship in Bahrain in 2024?
It is a well-known truth that Bahrain makes it challenging for foreigners to obtain citizenship. You might want to tone down the thrill a little if you already fantasize about living the perfect life here.
In some circumstances, the king of Bahrain may confer citizenship to a foreigner who has rendered exceptional service for an extended period of time. On the other hand, an employer can choose to provide a hardworking employee who has made significant contributions to the business over a long period with a work and residence visa that is valid unlimitedly.
It takes time and perseverance to become a legal citizen. It is recommended to prepare for a deprivation during the application procedure because not all candidates will be given citizenship.
If you want to apply for citizenship in Bahrain and need assistance, our specialists can help, so don’t hesitate to contact them. We can also assist investors who want to open companies in Bahrain.